Overland Park Man Accused Of Tracking Down Girls To Rape, Molest

Date 2014/3/26 4:50:00 | Topic: News

OVERLAND PARK, KS (KCTV) -An Overland Park man is accused of tracking down girls to rape and molest, but his father says that can't be true.Cody Cooper, 20, is charged with five sex crimes against children including rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and criminal sodomy. His bond is set at $250,000.

"I'm still in shock. I don't know what to say," said Cooper's father, Howard Cooper.

Howard Cooper watched as police arrested his son at their Overland Park home.

"I can't believe that. That is not how he was raised. I can't believe that. I don't know what they've got for evidence," Howard Cooper said.

Police say they have identified four victims between the ages of 12 and 15 years old, and they believe there could be more victims.

Investigators say Cody Cooper preyed on young girls he would meet online or at public places, like fast food restaurants and the library.

"He is accused of using coercive techniques to gain the trust of juveniles to get them to send illicit pictures of themselves or to commit certain sex acts as well," said Gary Mason, Overland Park police spokesman.

According to sources, one of the victims had a protection order against Cody Cooper after the girl's parents learned their underage daughter was allegedly involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with him.

It is also alleged many of the acts took place at Cody Cooper's home.

Howard Cooper can't believe his son would do any of what he is accused of and certainly not at their home.

"He is here by himself a lot, quite a bit, but I'm here or his grandmother is here a lot. So, I can't believe anything happened here. A lot of this is alleged," he said.